Dermot O'Leary has dressed up as Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess of Grantham, to celebrate his role as the 2012 National Television Awards host.

He told Heat magazine: "I do like dressing as a woman, though this bustle makes me look like Kim Kardashian!"

Talking about his own NTA nomination for Entertainment presenter, the X Factor host said: "It would be great if someone a bit left field won an award this year - like me!

"Ant & Dec have won it for ten years running. It's time for change."

He added: "I'd love the X Factor to win, because it'll be a real vindication of the new judges. But if Strictly win, they'll deserve it.

"It's a lot funnier when Simon's there [at the awards]. He hates to lose. Last time we lost, I was two seats away from him and his face was amazing. So at least if we lose, we'll all get to see that again."

This week's Heat magazine is on sale now.